PHYSICS 350 - Classical Mechanics I

Syllabus

Fall 2007 Semester

Course ID Time Days Room
PHYS 350-001 12:45pm - 2:05pm TR TCCW 251

Instructor:
Dr. Alexander Barzilov
Assistant Professor
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY 42101
 Office: Thompson Complex Central Wing, #214
Phone: 270-745-5467     Fax: 270-745-2014
Electronic Mail: alexander.barzilov@wku.edu
Home Page: http://physics.wku.edu/~barzilov/
Office Hours: TR 2:05pm - 3:05pm
+ many more by chance or by appointment


Course Description

A study of classical mechanics including equations of motion, coordinate systems, the simple harmonic oscillator, damping forces, vector algebra, momentum and energy theorems.

Course Objectives

The course objectives are to develop ability to understand concepts of classical mechanics, to increase the capacity for critical and logical thinking, and to apply methods used in the study in our lives.

Course Topics

The course covers the following topics:

  • Fundamental concepts: vectors
  • Rectilinear motion of a particle
  • Oscillators
  • General 3-D motion of a particle
  • Noninertial reference systems
  • Gravitational and central forces

Textbook

Analytical Mechanics by Fowles and Cassiday (Thomson Brooks/Cole, ISBN: 0-534-49492-7)

ANALYTICAL MECHANICS
by Grant R. Fowles and George L. Cassiday
(Publisher: Thomson Brooks/Cole, ISBN: 0-534-49492-7)

The textbook should be available in the university bookstore before the start of the semester.

Co-requisites and Pre-requisites

Students enrolled in Physics 350 must have already satisfactorily completed Physics 265 or Physics 270. In addition students must be also enrolled in or completed Math 331 and Math 327.

Homework and Attendance Policy

Homework must be handed in by the announced deadline. Late homework will not be accepted except in special circumstances. There may be a penalty for late homework dependent on the seriousness of such circumstances. Students are strongly encouraged to attend all classes.

Grading Policy

Table 1
Average Score Grade
90 - 100 A
80 - 89 B
70 - 79 C
60 - 69 D
59 and below F

Your grade for Physics 350 will be based on your performance in the class and on your exam results using the usual distribution as shown in Table 1 on the left. The weight coefficients are the following: quizzes Q - 10%; homework H - 25%; exams E (3) - 45%, final exam F - 20%. The formula for the overall grade is G = 0.1Q + 0.45E + 0.25H + 0.20F. You can re-take one of three exams /E/ without any risk: if the grade on the retake is higher that is your grade for the exam; if it is not higher the result of the retake will be ignored.

Final examination

The final exam for the course will be comprehensive. The exam will be given according to the university mandated schedule which is reproduced below for your class.

Course ID Normal Day and Time Final Exam Day Final Exam Time
PHYS 350-001 TR @ 12:45pm-2:05pm Friday, December 14, 2007 10:30am-12:30pm

Disability Accommodations

Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services, Room 101, Garrett Conference Center. The OFSDS telephone number is (270) 745-5004 V/TDD. Please DO NOT request accommodations directly from me without a letter of accommodation from the Office for Student Disability Services.